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i have failed! my profession has failed; our community has failed. failed from another bright life lost to apparent suicide.

i was so stunned to learn of the death of Ms. Jessies co-founder Titi Branch. i didn’t know her well but whenever i saw her she was always so warm and inviting. from the outside looking in one would never imagine she could be suffering inside. but therein lies the paradox…

for many Black women/girls, suffering in hiding is a legacy that has been passed on for generations. we wear a mask but unlike the description paul laurence dubar gave for men; the Black women/girls’s mask is the lie of having it all. we look the part, we act the part, we give & give until our soul GIVES in.

this strong Black woman complex or sojournor syndrome as it is being called by researchers is killing us. it’s time for us to stop ignoring our own pain or the pain of our loved ones.

just because her hair is tight and her make up right, it doesn’t mean she is okay. it’s more than time to take signs of depression and suicide seriously. signs include loss of interest in activities, isolation, loss or gain in appetite, loss or gain in sleeping patterns, talking about taking ones life.

if you need help, find a trained therapist who understands the unique gender and cultural needs of Black women/girls. if you don’t like the first therapist you see, try another one. getting the right fit is crucial.

contact the national suicide prevention lifeline if you need to talk immediately to a professional. it’s available 24hours a day, 7 days a week 1 (800) 273-8255 www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

my heart goes out to all families who have lost a loved one to suicide. may their souls and yours be in peace.